Cramlington Stingers team of Iain Wood, Dale Aitkenhead and Steve Coverdale got off to a flying start in Division One of the Northumbria Summer league when they came away from newly promoted Sacriston Aces with a 9 – 1 victory under their belts. Sacriston’s lone set came when Duncan Fraser defeated Coverdale.

Springwell’s new look side of Jim Stamas, Tony Gelder and Dave Fosberg also made a winning start with an 8 – 2 success over Saint Chads, Stamas and Gelder being unbeaten.

Sacriston Bombers, newly promoted to division two turned out a very young team of Dan Hutchinson(17), Max Duffin (13) and Peter Smallcombe(12) against the very experienced Cramlington Cobras side of Alan Hedley, Alastair Johnson and Paul Fairlamb. The youngsters certainly proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in a fast paced attacking match as they won all of the singles in a 9 – 1 victory.

John Rowell was on top form for Birtley, gaining a hat-trick as his side drew 5 - 5 with North Fire, Michael Bradley getting the other two. Barry Hill got a couple for the Fire. 

Brinkburn (formerly the Mortimer club) gained a narrow victory over Byker in division three, coming from 4 – 2 down to win 6 – 4 with Dave Bannon and Dick Karczewski getting two sets each as did John Carr and Dave Craddock for Byker.

Lanchester A made a winning start in this division as hat-tricks from Dave McAllister and Andrew Firth  helped them to defeat Whitley Chapel 8 – 2.

Peter Whitfield was the man of the match for Sacriston Chargers in division four with an unbeaten performance but the Cramlington Jaguars side of Mick Sursham, Paul Smith and Ryan Morton still ran out 6 – 4 winners, getting two sets each.

Division five saw Cramlington and Brandon introduce new young players into the league and Andrew Cockerill was unbeaten for Cram Knights who defeated Brandon Devils 7 – 3 while the  match between Cram Lions and Magpies went to the Magpies by the same score despite Adam Webster winning all of the Lion’s sets.

 

Aubrey Drapkin